Steering device for ships and other craft

ABSTRACT

A ship is provided with a bow steering arrangement wherein jets of water are discharged in selected directions in order to turn the ship in the desired direction. A rotary pump is housed in a cylindrical enlargement extending forwardly from the bow at the bottom of the hull. The front of the enlargement is provided with an inlet which communicates with an axial inlet for the rotary pump. The pump discharges a stream in substantially a radial direction through a casing which is rotatable about the rotary axis of the pump and positionable to direct a stream of pumped water in one of at least two different directions.

United States Patent Inventor Wolfgang Baer Am Hardt, Germany 805,587

Mar. 10, 1969 Aug. 10, 1971 Firma J. M. Voith Gmbl! lleidenheim, Germany App]. No. Filed Patented Assignee s'resnmc DEVICE roa SHIPS AND OTHER can-r 10 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1923 Motte 115/16 2,702,516 2/1955 Tinker 115/16 FOREIGN PATENTS 845,319 7/1952 Germany 115/12 Primary Examiner-Andrew H. Farrell Attorney-Edmund M. Jaskiewicz ABSTRACT: A ship is provided with a bow steering arrangement wherein jets of water are discharged in selected directions in order to turn the ship in the desired direction. A rotary pump is housed in a cylindrical enlargement extending forwardly from the bow at the bottom of the hull. The front of the enlargement is provided with an inlet which communicates with an axial inlet for the rotary pump. The pump discharges a stream in substantially a radial direction through a casing which is rotatable about the rotary axis of the pump and posi-' tionable to direct a stream of pumped water in one of at least two difierent directions.

PATENTEU AUG 1 0:97: 3.598.078

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INVENTOR.

WOLFGANG BAER STEERING DEVICE FOR SHIPS AND OTHER CRAFT The present invention relates to the steering of ships and other craft, more particularly, to a bow control system for steering a ship by pumping a stream of water in a desired direction.

Various arrangements have been proposed for controlling the direction of movement of a ship from the bow. The usual arrangement includes a longitudinally extending passage through which water is admitted to a pump or propeller which in turn discharges the water through discharge passages located rearwardly of the pump. These passages are substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the ship so that when a stream of water is discharged therefrom a force is created which acts at an angle to the ship s longitudinal axis. Such an arrangement is relatively inflexible since the intake and discharge passages are affixed in the hull of the ship. As a result, the controlling forces exerted by such a steering arrangement are relatively fixed. This is particularly disadvantageous when maneuvering the ship in relatively close quarters such as in a harbor.

It is therefore the principal object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved steering arrangement for ships and other craft.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a bow control device for ships wherein a stream of water-is pumped in a desired direction.

According to one aspect of the present invention a ship has a cylindrical housing extending forwardly from the bow at the bottom of the hull. A rotary pump is fixedly mounted within the cylindrical housing with the rotary axis of the pump extending longitudinally of the housing. The forward end of the housing has an inlet opening which communicates with an axial inlet of the rotary pump. The pump is further provided with a substantially radial opening through which a pumped fluid stream is discharged. The cylindrical housing is provided with several openings corresponding to the several directions in which fluid is to be discharged in order to steer the ship. Means which may comprise a spiral discharge casing is rotatably mounted within the cylindrical housing for rotation about the rotary axis of the pump and guides the discharged stream through one of the housing openings.

The cylindrical housing may be formed in two portions positioned forward and aft of the rotary pump with these housing portions being interconnected by circularly arranged axially extending ribs or vanes.

The rotatable discharge spiral casing may be rotated to its desired position by means of a fluid pressure cylinder or by a suitable motor connected through a gearing arrangement to the casing.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent upon reference to the'accompanying description when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, which are exemplary, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through an enlarged portion at the bottom of the hull of a ship with the steering device of the present invention being mounted in the enlarged portion;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II II of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. I but showing a modification wherein the enlargement is formed in two parts;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV -IV of FIG.

FIG. Sis a view similar to that of FIG. 3 wherein two parts of the housing are interconnected by vanes and ribs;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line Vl -VI of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 6 but showing a modification wherein the spiral discharge casing has two flow passages in the form of semispirals and a radial outlet; and

FIGS. 8 11 are views similar to that of FIG. 2 and showing schematic arrangements for moving the rotatable discharge casing.

Proceeding next to the drawings wherein like reference symbols indicate the same parts throughout the various views a specific embodiment and modifications of the present invention will be described in detail.

The steering device of the present invention may be employed in aircraft, ships of all kinds, and under certain conditions in hovercraft. To assist in the comprehension of the present invention the specific embodiment as described below will refer specifically only to a ship.

A ship in which the steering device of the present invention is incorporated has a bulb enlargement which is substantially cylindrical extending from the bow at the lower portion of the hull indicated at I. This portion of the hull is provided with an opening having an internal flange 2. A carrier plate 3 is mounted upon the flange 2. A rotary pump having an impeller 4 is positioned forwardly of carrier plate 3 and mounted upon a drive shaft 5 joumaled in the carrier plate. The impeller 4 is surrounded by a spiral discharge casing 6 which has a substantially rectangular cross section and is mounted to be rotatable about the rotary axis of the impeller 4. The casing 6 is pro vided with an adapter 7 which is rotatably mounted within'an annular groove on carrier plate 3 so that the casing 6 is capable of rotating through an angle of at least I". The adapter 7 is also provided with an internal ring gear 8 meshing with a pinion I0 mounted on a drive shaft on an electro servomotor 9. The servomotor drive shaft is also journaled in the carrier plate 3. Q

The spiral discharge casing 6 is surrounded by a cylindrical shell II so as to form a double walled structure. The carrier plate 3, pump impeller 4, the spiral discharge casing 6 together with the outer shell II and adapter 7 are surrounded by a substantially cylindrical housing 12 which forms the surface of the enlargement on the bow. The forward end of the housing 12 is provided with an inlet opening I4 covered by a grating or screen I3. The cylindrical surface of the housing I2 is provided with several discharge openings 15.

In the modification of FIGS. 3 and 4 the housing which forms the bow enlargement is comprised of two parts positioned forwardly and aft of the impeller 4. The adapter 7' extends outwardly to the periphery of the enlargement and is connected only by aplurality of axially extending ribs I6 to the forwardportion 7" in which is located the inlet opening I4. As may be seen in FIG. 4 the ribs 16 are arranged in planes inclined with respect to the respective axial planes passing through the ribs so as not to interfere with the discharge of the jet generated by the pump impeller 4. The cylindrical shell 11' of the spiral discharge casing extends outwardly together with the adapter 7 to the outer diameter of the bow enlargement and thus forms a portion of the housing of this enlargement.

In the modification of FIGS. 5 and 6 the pump impeller 4' is of a slightly smaller diameter with respect to the diameter of the impeller 4 as shown in FIGS. 1-4. A plurality of guide blades or vanes I7 are circularly arranged between the impeller outlet and the spiral discharge casing 6'. The vanes I7 at one end are fixed to the carrier plate 3 and on the other end to the forward adapter portion 7". There are also provided axially extending ribs 16' interconnecting the forward portion of the housing 7" and the carrier plate 3 so as to contribute to a rigid structure. These ribs 16' are positioned radially outwardly of the rotary pump and the spiral discharge casing.

As may be seen in FIG. 6 the spiral discharge casing 6' is provided with a radial discharge opening I5 and the ribs I6 are positioned in axial planes.

By a radial or at least substantially radial discharge of the stream generated by the rotary pump as shown in FIG. 6, the center of this discharge stream either passes through or at least is spaced only a very short distance 'away from the rotary axis of the impeller. As a result, no or at least only a small torque is developed about this rotary axis. This means that the servomotor 9 can be made smaller.

A discharge of this pumped jet or stream without torque can also be obtained by means of a spiral discharge casing 6" as shown in FIG. 7. This discharge casing is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed semispiral flow passages 19 and 20. These flow passages are symmetrical with respect to an axial plane 18 passing through the rotary axis of the rotary pump. The flow passages 19 and 20 both connect to a common discharge opening A semicylindrical plate 21 together with axially extending ribs 16' interconnects the forward housing portion with the after housing portion. In addition, the plate 21 will cover the discharge opening 15 when the rotatable discharge casing is moved into the central position where the discharge opening is directed upwardly as seen in FIG. 7 during normal movement of the ship.

Proceeding next to FIGS. 8' 11 there are illustrated several arrangements for rotating thespiral discharge casing into the desired position. in FIG. 8 a servomotor 22 between the spiral discharge casing 6' having a radial outlet and the stationary portion of the enlargement on the bow.

ln FlG. 9 there is provided a fluid pressure cylinder 23 which is provided with a rack gear24 mounted on its piston rod and engageable with a pinion 25 to rotate the discharge casing.

in FIG. 10 an annular gear 26 is engaged with a worm gear 27 driven by a servomotor 9' with the gear 26 being mounted on the discharge casing.

In FIG. 11 there is provided a circular hydraulic servomotor 28 having a semiannular cylinder and a semiannular piston and piston rod. The piston rod is connected to the casing to rotate the casing. This particular shape of servomotor is adapted to be readily accommodated to the circular rotary motion of the discharge casing.

While it is particularly advantageous to mount the steering device of the present invention in a bulb enlargement on the bow of a ship, this device can also be used for steering other kinds of craft.

According to the present invention the fluid which flows into the pump inlet in the longitudinal direction which is opposite to the direction of motion of the craft is deflected completely or at least substantially completely within the pump itself. The direction of movement of the flow of fluid is changed from axial to radial with this change in direction initially being uniformly distributed over the entire circumference. The jet is then discharged in the desired direction within this radial plane by means of a discharge outlet which is rotatable through an angle of at least l80 around the rotary axis of the pump. The discharge casing is preferably constructed as a spiral casing surrounding the pump impeller and may have a discharge opening which is tangential or radial with respect to the pump.

Where a steering device, as in the present invention em- I ploys the reaction of the fluid for steering purposes the fluid can during most conceivable operating conditions flow in an axial direction into the pump without encountering any obsta cles: The fluid is then accelerated by the pump and discharged as a jet or stream in the desired direction which is generally tionary or when the craft is underway and is particularly effective when the craft is moving at a high speed. There is very lii tle decrease in steering action with the present steering device as the speed of the craft increases. In addition, the present steering device operates at a relatively high efficiency and with very little noise.

When employing a spiral discharge casing for the pump the casing may have a rectangular cross section with the axial width of the casing corresponding to the axial outlet width of the pump. The discharge casing is preferably surrounded by a cylindrical shell coaxial with the rotary axis of the pump so as to adapt the casing to the contour of the bow enlargement in which the steering device is enclosed. This enlargement is preferably cylindrical in cross section.

lt will be understood that this invention is susceptible to modification in order to adapt it to different usages and conditions.

What I claim is: a x I l. A steering device for marinecraft and other vehicles and comprising rotary means fixed in position in a craft for generating a fluid stream, said rotary means having axial inlet and substantially radial outlet through which the fluid stream is discharged, means rotatable about the axis of said rotary means for guiding the discharged stream in one of at least two directions to steer the craft, and a housing enclosing said rotary means and guide means and having an axially extending surface with respect to said rotary means, there being openings in said housing surface corresponding to the several directions in which the fluid stream is discharged to steer the craft.

2. A steering device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said housing for said rotary means has two enclosure portions on both sides of said rotary means in an axial direction, and a plurality of axially extending ribs interconnecting said enclosure portions radially outwardly of said rotary means and said guide means.

3. A steering device as claimed in claim 2 with said ribs being inclined with respect to axial planes passing respectively therethrough.

4. A steering device as claimed in claim I and comprising a carrier plate for mounting on the body of a craft, said rotary means and said guide means being rotatably mounted on said carrier plate.

5. A steering device as claimed in claim 1 with said rotary guide means having an internal ring gear thereon, and a servomotor having an output pinion drivingly engaged with said ring gear.

6. A steering device as claimed in claim I and comprising a fluid pressure cylinder operatively connected to said rotary guide means to rotate the same.

7. A steering device as claimed in claim 6 and comprising a pinion on said rotary guide means, said fluid pressure cylinder having a piston rod extending therefrom with a rack gear thereon engaging said pinion 8. A steering device as claimed in claim 6 with said fluid pressure cylinder being semiannular in shape and having a semiannular piston rod extending therefrom, 'said piston rod being connected to said guide means.

9. A steering device for marine craft and other vehicles and comprising rotary means fixed in position in a craft for generating a fluid stream, said rotary means having an axial inlet and a substantially radial outlet through which the fluid stream is discharged, means rotatable about the axis of said rotary means for guiding the discharged stream in one of at least two directions to steer the craft, said guiding means comprising a rotatable spiral discharged casing, means with in said spiral discharged casing for defining therein a pair of oppositely disposed semispiral flow passages, said flow passages being symmetrical with respect to an axial plane passing through the rotary axis of said rotary means, an enclosure for said rotary means and rotatable spiral discharge casing and having'two portions on both sides of said rotary means and casing in an axial direction, a semicylindrical plate interconnecting the upper parts of said enclosure portions and coaxial to the rotary axis of said rotary means, and a plurality of axially extending ribs interconnecting the lower parts of said enclosure portions radially outwardly of said rotary means and spiral casing.

l0. A steering device as claimed in claim 1 and comprising a substantially cylindrical bulb enlargement extending horizontally from the bow at the lower portion of the hull of the marine craft and having a forward end, said rotary means having its axis of rotation substantially coaxial with the longituadjustable to direct a stream of pumped water in one of at least two directions. 

1. A steering device for marine craft and other vehicles and comprising rotary means fixed in position in a craft for generating a fluid stream, said rotary means having axial inlet and substantially radial outlet through which the fluid stream is discharged, means rotatable about the axis of said rotary means for guiding the discharged stream in one of at least two directions to steer the craft, and a housing enclosing said rotary means and guide means and having an axially extending surface with respect to said rotary means, there being openings in said housing surface corresponding to the several directions in which the fluid stream is discharged to steer the craft.
 2. A steering device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said housing for said rotary means has two enclosure portions on both sides of said rotary means in an axial direction, and a plurality of axially extending ribs interconnecting said enclosure portions radially outwardly of said rotary means and said guide means.
 3. A steering device as claimed in claim 2 with said ribs being inclined with respect to axial planes passing respectively therethrough.
 4. A steering device as claimed in claim 1 and comprising a carrier plate for mounting on the body of a craft, said rotary means and said guide means being rotatably mounted on said carrier plate.
 5. A steering device as claimed in claim 1 with said rotary guide means having an internal ring gear thereon, and a servomotor having an output pinion drivingly engaged with said ring gear.
 6. A steering device as claimed in claim 1 and comprising a fluid pressure cylinder operatively connected to said rotary guide means to rotate the same.
 7. A steering device as claimed in claim 6 and comprising a pinion on said rotary guide means, said fluid pressure cylinder having a piston rod extending therefrom with a rack gear thereon engaging said pinion.
 8. A steering device as claimed in claim 6 with said fluid pressure cylinder being semiannular in shape and having a semiannular piston rod extending therefrom, said piston rod being connected to said guide means.
 9. A steering device for marine craft and other vehicles and comprising rotAry means fixed in position in a craft for generating a fluid stream, said rotary means having an axial inlet and a substantially radial outlet through which the fluid stream is discharged, means rotatable about the axis of said rotary means for guiding the discharged stream in one of at least two directions to steer the craft, said guiding means comprising a rotatable spiral discharged casing, means within said spiral discharged casing for defining therein a pair of oppositely disposed semispiral flow passages, said flow passages being symmetrical with respect to an axial plane passing through the rotary axis of said rotary means, an enclosure for said rotary means and rotatable spiral discharge casing and having two portions on both sides of said rotary means and casing in an axial direction, a semicylindrical plate interconnecting the upper parts of said enclosure portions and coaxial to the rotary axis of said rotary means, and a plurality of axially extending ribs interconnecting the lower parts of said enclosure portions radially outwardly of said rotary means and spiral casing.
 10. A steering device as claimed in claim 1 and comprising a substantially cylindrical bulb enlargement extending horizontally from the bow at the lower portion of the hull of the marine craft and having a forward end, said rotary means having its axis of rotation substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis of said bulb enlargement and said axial inlet being in the forward end thereof, said rotatable guiding means surrounding said rotary fluid stream generating means and being adjustable to direct a stream of pumped water in one of at least two directions. 